Ambitious Blacks by Roxy

Apocalypse by Harry Lorayne
Volume 8, Number 5 May 1985
Page 1066 et seq.

Personal Comment: Technically there is only one sleight. So this is easy. But maybe a bit too boring by itself. If you have a compelling story or premise for this, then go ahead. Is it deceptive... I think it is. Feels very "Phil Goldsteinish" to me.

Difficulty 2/5

SW Elevator by Chris Kenner

Out of Control by Chris Kenner
Page 153 et seq.

Personal Comment: I learned this while riding the train. It takes a while. But it is nice. Really nice. A great one on one trick. It has angle issues.

Difficulty 5/5

Spiralvator by Phil Goldstein

Focus by Phil Goldstein 1990
Page 101 et seq.

Personal Comment: Pffffffffffffffffffff.... I don't know. I don't think this effect has something to offer that I care about. But I feel this effect could benefit greatly from treatment by one of the greater card guys. And then it could be a great little routine. Might have been done already. It was first published in the August issue of Genii in 1986. If you own Genii you might wanna check out the effect and start being creative yourself.

Difficulty 2/5

Brimstone Elevator by Phil Goldstein

Focus by Phil Goldstein 1990
Page 41 et seq.

Personal Comment: I read it and was all like... really? Really? This is boring. And you know what... I tried it for real people. It is. But I tell you for whom this routine seems to be designed for. For magicians. And all because of the kicker in the end. And for magicians it is a nice routine.

Difficulty 3/5

Bi-Way by J.K.Hartman

Richard's Almanac by Richard Kaufman
Volume 1, Number 3, November 1982 Page 17 et seq.

Personal Comment: I don't like the neither structure nor the effect, but I was told by a few other magicians, that it "kills" I highly doubt that. I think it is unclear what is going on so there is the need to tell the audience what is going on. And is a card rising up and down not much more impressive if the whole deck is involved? (aka Ambitious card)

Difficulty: 3/5